Civil servants will be banned from buying lanyards featuring a gay and trans pride flag under a clampdown on 'wasteful spending' in Whitehall, ministers have confirmed.
Purchasing cords for security passes that feature the 'progress flag' will be affected by a review of taxpayers money spent on 'corporate-branded and non-essential merchandise'.
The flag features the Pride rainbow flag but adds other stripes and chevrons to represent other 'marginalised communities' including transgender and those with HIV/AIDS.
And in an answer to a written question by Tory MP Mike Wood, first reported by the Times, Cabinet Office Minister Georgia Gould confirmed that flag-bearing lanyards were included in the review.
She noted that staff will be allowed to wear their existing lanyards, but added: 'The announcement sets out the requirements for all departments to review their policies on procuring corporate-branded and non-essential merchandise, with a view to restricting future purchases.
